NFL Draft’s Potential Patriots: Ohio State OLB Ryan Shazier

WEEI.com will continue to offer daily insight and analysis regarding options that may be available to the Patriots when it comes to the 2014 NFL draft. Here is one is a series of profiles of players who could be on the board when it’s time for the Patriots to make a selection.

What he brings: While Shazier is a smaller outside linebacker, his athleticism and big-play, hard-hitting ability are evident. The 21-year-old is a lean and athletic product who has shown a knack to get to the ball. He is versatile enough to play inside or outside. Scouts are concerned about his lack of bulk and how that may be abused. He sometimes overextends himself, not wrapping up on tackles or being overaggressive. Shazier can sometimes get caught out of position, lacking superior instincts.

Where the Patriots could get him: Rounds 1-2

Notes: In 2013 Shazier started all 13 games, recording a Big Ten-leading 134 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, six sacks and four forced fumbles. In 12 games in 2012 (all starts) he had 115 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, five sacks and three forced fumbles. As a true freshman in 2011, he played in 13 games (starting three) and had 57 tackles, five tackles for loss, three sacks and two forced fumbles. His 57 tackles were the most tackles by a true freshman at Ohio State since Andy Katzenmoyer in 1996. … Shazier reportedly ran a 4.36 40-yard dash time at his pro day on March 7 after not running at the NFL combine due to a hamstring issue. After his pro day run, Shazier reportedly re-injured his hamstring. … He was voted a captain for the 2013 season.